Assessment options in Southland and Otago

General Assessment information

Assessing for different types of learning differences

Dyslexia is the most common form of learning difficulty that is assessed.

Assessing for dyscalculia is happening but it is not as common in NZ so there are less options available.

Assessing for dyspraxia requires two different assessments as follows;

• Global dyspraxia – one assessment for a specific learning difficulty (this is the one for dyslexia) plus an assessment from an Occupational Therapist
• Verbal dyspraxia - one assessment for a specific learning difficulty (this is the one for dyslexia) plus an assessment from a Speech Therapist

Some assessors who are completing the general dyslexia assessment will look at other learning difficulties and processing disorders that may be impacting on your child’s learning and advise you of any further follow up that may be required.

Other important notes

Always check with your school if an assessment is needed. Some schools have processes in place to support the child and may do this without you needing to get a report. The person to contact at the school is the SENCO (Special Education Needs Co-ordinator). If your school does not have a SENCO contact the teacher who is in charge of children with learning difficulties.

Special Assessment Conditions

These are accommodations such as extra time and reader/writers that students can get to help them with NCEA. The school applies to NZQA to get these accommodations (they are not guaranteed). As part of this application process the school will use an assessment report. It is important that you check with the school what their process is. There are two available. The first one uses a C Grade assessment. The second option is called the alternative pathway and requires an assessment report (some schools can even do these themselves) plus other evidence that the school gathers.